Page 84 of Pomegranates and Olive

“Rosie…” It isn’t even a heartbeat later. “I don’t think you should go into town by yourself.”

“I am not by myself, Luca, I’m with Deniz.” She hooks her arm into his and leans into him. “You’ll look after me, won’t you, Deniz?”

Deniz chuckles. “Of course I will,tatlim. You’re perfectly safe.”

Rosie rolls her eyes at Luca before speaking to the whole table. “Who’s up for some clubbing to keep me safe from this big bad wolf?”

Aricia and Kat decide to go and drag a less-than-enthusiastic Burak with them. Ginny and Aydin both shake their heads. A group forms and Rosie smiles at Luca triumphantly, one hip thrust forward, hands on her waist and a self-satisfied smile on her face. “Happy now?

“He seems to already have his hands full.” Luca scowls at Deniz as he turns to me. “Maybe we should go with her?”

“I’d rather not.” I shake my head and lower my voice. “Listen, we really should talk.”

Luca knocks back the last of the bourbon in his glass and grunts. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“What the fuck is the matter with you?”

“There’ll be time to talk when we’re on the plane… tomorrow.”

“Sure thing, Luca, you go chase thatstorm.” I shrug with feigned disinterest, waving my hand at him to join them as I stand up. “Thisprincessis going to bed!”

At first, he looks like he might explode at me, but then he nods slowly, embarrassment washing over his face; we both know I’m referring to my little sister. “I’m sorry, Liv. I hate this but I need to go with them. I’ll see you tomorrow, I guess.”

“No I don’t think you will.”

Luca stands up to join the group as they start their slow trek up to the carpark. I watch in fascination as Rosie and Luca gravitate toward each other, as though being pushed together by an invisible force. They’re walking now, slightly separated from the rest of the group. She leans in to whisper something and he chuckles before slipping his arm around her waist. Perhaps Luca and Rosie can’t recognise their own feelings, but I can see it as plain as day. It may just be infatuation, or lust, or it might even be true love, but it’s enough for me to know that whether he wants to talk to me or not Luca and I really are over and tomorrow when he gets on that plane I won’t be on it with him.

I let the enormity of it all sink in as I grab hold of the nearest chair. A bit of nausea mixes with sadness and… relief… washes over me. I slowly sink back down onto the chair to let tears roll down my cheeks. I cry for the life that we once had, a life that seems neither of us really wants, a life that isn’t worth saving. I sit on that chair and cry until I’m empty of tears and then, as if I’m pulled by a force that I can’t see, I stand and walk towards the jetty.

My life will go on… as will his. I think this princess is going to be just fine.

19

For Whom The Bootie Calls

I climb on board Tora to wait for the sunrise… or to wait for Deniz, I’m not really sure which statement is true.

“Russo?”

I spin around to the sound of his voice, nearly falling overboard in the process. Lying on the cushioned bench, a glass of amber liquid in his hand and an angry cat beside him, Deniz’s slate-grey eyes lock with mine. “You scared the shit out of me!”

“My apologies.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in town with Rosie?”

“Clubbing is not really my scene and when your fiancé decided to tag along, I thought it prudent that I left them to it. I’m sure he will keep averyclose eye on her.”

“I’msureI don’t know what you mean.” His face doesn’t look quite right, so I reach over, rub his bottom lip and look at my thumb. Red lipstick. “And the blonde bimbos? What happened to them?”

“Again, you are letting your jealousy get the better of you. I left Dilan and Elif happily dancing with more attentive suitors.” He grins widely, clearly enjoying the fact that he was getting under my skin again. “I would have thought your fiancé would have wanted to stay with you after being separated for so long, rather than chasing after your little sister.”

“First, it’s not jealousy when it’s the truth.” I poke my red lipsticked thumb in his face. “And second, he’s not my fiancé.”

“I guess that depends on whose story you choose to believe.”

I shake my head in exasperation. “Whatever… I didn’t realise you’d be here and I’m not really in the mood for an argument.”

“Then stop arguing with me.”

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